Every team has a breaking point when it comes to highly drafted players. Some teams are more willing to give guys the benefit of the doubt than others because the top five picks are supremely talented. History says some players take longer to develop than others. Everybody thought Kyle Lowry was a lost cause early in his career. Then he transformed into an All-Star and led his franchise to its first NBA championship. Unfortunately, it appears the Chicago Bulls have reached the end of their rope with Patrick Williams.
Hopes were so high for the former #4 pick in 2020. His athleticism, size, length, and defensive prowess had many dreaming of the next Kawhi Leonard. VP of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas was so confident that the organization had a building block for the future. For five seasons, they have done everything in their power to help him blossom into the star he can be. Their reward has been an average of 9.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game over the past three years. Enough is enough. Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times revealed that Chicago is done and is eager to unload the 23-year-old.
Finding a taker is priority #1.
According to a source, the Bulls and Karnisovas have been more responsive to trade talks than they have been in the past. And while Ball, Vucevic and White are all possibilities to be moved, the name atop Karnisovas’ list to deal entering the first round of the NBA Draft on Wednesday is Patrick Williams.
The Bulls have reached the point where they’ve run through most of their developmental staff in an effort to pair Williams with the right personal coach, only to see no upward movement.
Considering Karnisovas made a desperate attempt to motivate Williams with the security of a five-year, $90 million contract extension last summer, the only way he knows he can trade him is in a package or part of a multiteam deal.
He has invested a lot of work and phone time to try to make that happen.
Patrick Williams has nobody to blame but himself.
The Bulls gave him far more time and patience than he honestly deserved. There were few signs throughout his time in Chicago that ever suggested he was figuring things out. Yet Karnisovas stayed the course. They gave him starter minutes. They put him under a proven and respected head coach. For some reason, they even give him a huge payday he didn't earn, all to motivate him to uphold his responsibility as a premium draft selection. Patrick Williams didn't want it. He was more than content being a role player nobody liked or respected. It isn't the first time that this has happened in NBA history, and it won't be the last. It is just frustrating that it took this long for the Bulls to realize it.
